20-year Type 2 Diabetes in Medicine / Internal Medicine — 72yo Woman | Respiratory / Pulmonology | SMLE Q#11545
SMLE Question #11545
Medicine / Internal Medicine
Respiratory / Pulmonology
Objective: OBJ-123
Last updated: February 2026
A 72-year-old woman with a 20-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the ICU for community-acquired pneumonia after 3 days of fever, productive cough, and dyspnoea. Examination shows tachypnoea, decreased breath sounds, and dullness to percussion over the right lower lung zone. Chest radiograph shows right lower lobe consolidation with a small right pleural effusion. Blood tests show leukocytosis. What is the most important risk factor for a complicated course and poor outcome in community-acquired pneumonia?
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